Death penalty referendum seems unlikely

Three controversial laws in 2012 prompted Maryland's first statewide ballot referendum in 20 years, allowing marriage equality, the Dream Act and congressional redistricting to be upheld by voters.

While a referendum for the newly passed death penalty repeal bill seems unlikely, lawmakers say a new bill that changes the state's referendum rules could create obstacles for citizens looking to petition state laws to ballot.

Montgomery County Delegate Eric Luedtke, D-District 14, has introduced a bill that would require the petition sponsor collecting signatures to form a ballot issue committee. Petition organizers would also face new signature page guidelines such as a requirement for circulators to initial each signature at the time of signing.

Opponents of the measure say that the proposed rules make an already stringent referendum process even more restrictive.

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Forty years ago, one of the greatest boxing matches in history took place in an unlikely setting: the capital of the Philippines. Muhammad Ali's epic win over great rival Joe Frazier in 1975 became known as the "Thrilla in Manila."